SOMERSET — Beginning today, a new daily bus service between Plymouth and Providence with a stop in Somerset targeted to tourists hits the road.

Family-owned Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Co. will feature two round trips a day, starting at 9 a.m. in Plymouth and ending there at 8 p.m.

The 1½-hour, 66-mile route includes stops in three other communities: from Kennedy Plaza in Providence to the Park & Ride on Slades Ferry Avenue in Somerset; the Galleria mall in Taunton and Campanelli Business Park in Middleboro.

The first bus of the east-west route leaves Plymouth’s Memorial Hall at 9 a.m., arriving at Kennedy Plaza in Providence at 10:30 a.m.

The return leaves Providence at 11 a.m. and arrives in Plymouth at 12:30, and a second round trip leaves Plymouth at 4 p.m., arrives in Providence at 5:30, and the return trip leaves Providence at 6:30 p.m. and arrives in Plymouth at 8 p.m.

P&B has provided regional transportation for 125 years and has planned the new service with state and local authorities for nearly a year, they said.

Vice President Christopher Anzuoni said its new service would tap into connecting bus routes and Amtrak train service for passengers traveling to New York. He noted the use of Plymouth as a tourist hub, especially in the summer, and many students attending college in Providence, all bolstering interest for this route.

Trying to stay ahead of the curve, Anzuoni noted the prospects of Taunton landing a casino. “Casino gamblers tend to be bus riders,” he said.

“As Route 44 becomes more heavily traveled, we have long believed that bus transportation can help people who travel that corridor on a regular or occasional basis,” Anzuoni said.

With their offices at the intersection of routes 3 and 44, he said the amount of commercial activity in Plymouth continues to increase, and the company provides connecting bus service to Boston and Cape Cod.

“We’re trying to give more options and relieve traffic congestion,” he said.

Round-trip fares from Providence to Plymouth are $29. Round trips fares from Taunton to both Plymouth and Providence are $16. Somerset to Providence fares are $6 one way and $11 round trip, and Somerset to Plymouth $12 and $22, respectively.

Stops at the Somerset Park & Ride, at this juncture, are at 10:05 a.m. into Providence; 11:25 a.m. into Plymouth; 5:05 p.m. into Providence; and 6:55 into Plymouth.

Anzuoni said P&B chose to use Somerset as a stop rather than Fall River to serve those area residents because Peter Pan Bus Co. runs routes between the city and Providence, as well as the Route 79 project that will continue for two more years adding to traffic congestion.

Page 2 of 2 - He said schedules are flexible and could be modified as they learn passengers’ preferences.